Post by: bearpaw on September 03, 2016, 11:37:15 AM
We've had an extremely busy summer remodeling, upgrading, and building structures to benefit our hunts and business. I have not been on the forum as much as usual and I owe the admins and mods a huge thanks for taking care of everything so well! We still have infrastructure upgrades that we are planning for next summer, but we are getting closer to where we want to be with our infrastructure and equipment.
A FEW MORE FIRES
Last summer we were fighting fire ourselves all night and we saved half of one of my leases, we ended up getting several good bucks off that ranch last fall even though half of it burned. I had hoped this year would be more normal and it probably has been, but unfortunately we've had a couple more hunting areas burn (and probably some of our trail cameras) in August but we're lucky with the depth of choice with our hunting areas and I don't think we will be impacted much at all.
CURRENT HUNTS
We have three hunts going on right now, two of my guides have a bear hunter each in Washington and one of my guides is hunting bull elk in Utah. We've seen numerous bear and missed three shots, but no bear on the ground yet. My other guide has passed numerous bulls waiting for a good one, but we know it's just a matter of time.
UTAH BULL DOWN MINUTES AGO
Guide Nick just called a good Utah Bull into 40 yards and a very happy lady hunter just dropped this Utah bull. Nick just got the head packed out and texted me this photo from his phone, better camera photos are coming soon. Congrats to a very happy lady hunter!
:hello:
Post by: bearpaw on September 03, 2016, 11:41:02 AM
Post by: jgeorgio on September 03, 2016, 11:45:23 AM
Post by: bearpaw on September 03, 2016, 11:51:48 AM
BUSY SUMMER
We've had an extremely busy summer remodeling, upgrading, and building structures to benefit our hunts and business. I have not been on the forum as much as usual and I owe the admins and mods a huge thanks for taking care of everything so well! We still have infrastructure upgrades that we are planning for next summer, but we are getting closer to where we want to be with our infrastructure and equipment.
A FEW MORE FIRES
Last summer we were fighting fire ourselves all night and we saved half of one of my leases, we ended up getting several good bucks off that ranch last fall even though half of it burned. I had hoped this year would be more normal and it probably has been, but unfortunately we've had a couple more hunting areas burn (and probably some of our trail cameras) in August but we're lucky with the depth of choice with our hunting areas and I don't think we will be impacted much at all.
CURRENT HUNTS
We have three hunts going on right now, two of my guides have a bear hunter each in Washington and one of my guides is hunting bull elk in Utah. We've seen numerous bear and missed three shots, but no bear on the ground yet. My other guide has passed numerous bulls waiting for a good one, but we know it's just a matter of time.
UTAH BULL DOWN MINUTES AGO
Guide Nick just called a good Utah Bull into 40 yards and a very happy lady hunter just dropped this Utah bull. Nick just got the head packed out and texted me this photo from his phone, better camera photos are coming soon. Congrats to a very happy lady hunter!
:hello:
In case anyone is interested, I have two elk hunts available on the same ranch next year, this area is producing 330-380 bulls pretty consistently. Two days ago a similar bull was killed on the neighboring property. I have another ranch with over the counter tags where we have been 100% on 270-330 bulls. Keep in mind 100% success never holds forever, eventually we are bound to have an unsuccessful hunt, but it's pretty darn good elk hunting on either ranch and that's why we have had such good success with our Utah elk hunts. If you are interested send me a pm.
Post by: bearpaw on September 03, 2016, 03:55:19 PM
Post by: bearpaw on September 03, 2016, 06:18:02 PM
Awesome bull, good luck to your hunters and guides!!
Thank You! :tup:
Post by: Mark Brenckle on September 03, 2016, 07:10:00 PM
Post by: bowhunterforever on September 03, 2016, 11:02:53 PM
Awesome bull, good luck to your hunters and guides!!:yeah:
Post by: Gringo31 on September 04, 2016, 06:47:27 AM
Post by: bearpaw on September 04, 2016, 08:06:06 AM
We have a couple friends who come turkey hunting every spring, the boy "Hunter" was about 6 years old when they started coming, now Hunter has graduated college and working a job. This spring Hunter's friend Spencer came on the turkey hunt for the first time. While they were all here we talked and laughed about last year when Hunter and his Dad were stalked by the cougar while turkey hunting, the cat was literally crouched down and stalking in close, luckilly they looked behind them and spotted the cat, they both started waving their arms and hollering and the cat ran off, but it scared the livin dickens right out of both of them.
Spencer called last week and wanted to know if we had room for him to come do an unguided deer hunt. He started his deer hunt yesterday, the morning was a bust, lots of tracks but no bucks, he headed to another area in the evening. This is an area that I've sent numerous hunters who have been successful, it's just one of those spots that always has game. He hiked about 1.5 miles into the heart of the area, all along he saw nothing, heard nothing, and there were almost no tracks of anything, which is strange for this area. He finally found what he thought was a good place to watch where there was some deer sign, but as darkness neared the quietness was nearly deafening. As shooting hours ended he gathered up his stuff, threw on his pack and started walking back to his truck. As it darkened he turned on his AA maglight and continued walking.
He remembered Hunter telling him after the cougar incident to always look back just in case something's following you. He shined his light back behind him and immediately saw two yellow eyes which really startled him. Fortunately he had his 1911 pistol which he pulled out and then proceeded toward his truck while watching the yellow eyes as much as possible. The eyes kept following him, he thought they were about 50 yards from him, he quickened the pace, but the eyes stayed with him. He walked faster, by now he was more than halfway back to the truck and the eyes were still following him, this was really starting to scare him bad, he can't lose the eyes, they are always right there following him, now in complete fear of his life he fired warning shots and the eyes disappeared. He doesn't know if the animal followed at a greater distance or if it left completely, but he made it to his truck. As soon as he was inside the truck he called his dad and shared the frightening story. At dinner he relived the story with everyone and I stayed up later talking with him after everyone had gone to bed. He decided to sleep in this morning and just take it easy before going hunting again. We have another game plan for him today in a different area far from the yellow eyes. He is still sleeping for now.
His light wasn't strong enough to see the animal, he doesn't know for sure what it was, but we have numerous friends who live not too far from there and a pack of wolves have been near this area all spring and summer. Horses and cattle have been chased through fences and an entire herd of goats have been wiped out, none are alive, they have all been killed. The way the eyes kept following I'm pretty sure it was a wolf, several friends and my son have had the exact same experience with wolves that followed close for long distances as if studying their prey deciding whether or not to attack. In fact one neighbor was followed and attacked 1 or 2 years ago, that story is posted on this forum, he shot one of the wolves as it leaped at him, he hit the wolf and it ran off but he had a chunk of meat and bone to prove it, WDFW confirmed it was a wolf and that he shot in self defense.
Post by: bearpaw on September 04, 2016, 10:47:17 AM
Ed has seen a few bear the last few days but none of them had gave him a good shot opportunity. This morning Daniel and Ed were set up and another bear showed itself at 325 yards. The guys closed the gap by about 75 yards and set up for the shot. They waited and waited but no bear, he must have slipped away in the brush. They were thinking about moving to another spot and suddenly they spotted the bear's head looking out of the brush at about 220 yards, then the bear walked out broadside. Ed drilled the bear but it took off as if it hadn't been hit. They watched and listened, about 30 seconds later they heard a last little moan and then silence. Daniel figured the bear was dead but they gave him some time and then went and found it. Ed's shot was right through the middle, the bear had made a death dash and dropped. Congrats and good shooting Ed!
Post by: bearpaw on September 04, 2016, 11:06:20 AM
The elk were talking pretty good. Nick and Wendy had spotted their 3rd bull a good one up on top of the mountain and they were going after it, halfway up another bull bugled to their right, Nick spotted the bull with his optics and quickly determined that number four was a better bull than the number three bull they had been after, but number four was 537 yards out, way too far for Wendy's 7mm-08. They quickly set up and Nick called the bull to within 24 yards, Wendy was shaking so bad with excitement as the bull came right up to them, but she managed to hammer the bull perfectly, he only ran 40 yards and dropped. Her family was there to share in her excitement, it was a great day on the mountain for the whole group. Congrats Wendy!
Post by: bearpaw on September 04, 2016, 04:30:45 PM
Post by: bearpaw on September 05, 2016, 06:28:57 AM
Spencer had a good sleep and headed out after lunch today to try Plan C, he was only gone a few hours and returned with a bloody arrow. He said he hit the buck good and it walked off and seemed wobbly, he said he didn't see much blood and didn't keep following the buck. I told him that was best, the buck will have a chance to die and I sent Daniel with him to help blood trail the buck. My fingers are crossed that they find the buck!
Daniel followed the limited blood trail and tracks for a pretty fair distance until the buck stood up from his bed and ran uphill, he stopped and looked back, Daniel could see that the arrow hit low in the brisket apparently missing all vitals. The deer ran off so they checked the bed, very little blood, we all figure that the buck will most likely heal up. Spencer is out hunting again today in a different area where there is a lot of sign.
Post by: bearpaw on September 05, 2016, 10:36:53 PM
Good going Christopher! :tup:
Post by: bearpaw on September 05, 2016, 11:07:10 PM
:IBCOOL:
Post by: Killmore on September 06, 2016, 08:17:30 AM
Post by: cooltimber on September 06, 2016, 08:44:41 AM
Post by: bearpaw on September 06, 2016, 10:07:50 AM
Very nice, what would you guess the last bears weight at?
I think that bear should have weighted over 300 but he wasn't very fat so I don't think he weighed that much. We didn't weigh him so I'm not exactly sure what he did weigh. He sure had a nice big head and thick fur for a big bear, the bigger bear usually don't have as nice of fur as the smaller bear, but this big boar's hide was awesomely thick and furry.
Post by: bearpaw on September 06, 2016, 10:12:31 AM
Spencer had a good sleep and headed out after lunch today to try Plan C, he was only gone a few hours and returned with a bloody arrow. He said he hit the buck good and it walked off and seemed wobbly, he said he didn't see much blood and didn't keep following the buck. I told him that was best, the buck will have a chance to die and I sent Daniel with him to help blood trail the buck. My fingers are crossed that they find the buck!
Daniel followed the limited blood trail and tracks for a pretty fair distance until the buck stood up from his bed and ran uphill, he stopped and looked back, Daniel could see that the arrow hit low in the brisket apparently missing all vitals. The deer ran off so they checked the bed, very little blood, we all figure that the buck will most likely heal up. Spencer is out hunting again today in a different area where there is a lot of sign.
Yesterday Spencer saw does and fawns but no bucks, unfortunately he had to leave a day early due to work. He said he'll be back in the spring for more turkey hunting and next fall to look for the buck he almost got, and which will be bigger next year! He said this was his first archery hunt so he was pretty happy that he almost got that buck. Thanks again Spencer, we really enjoyed having you here for the hunts this year! :hello:
Post by: bearpaw on September 08, 2016, 07:02:18 AM
Post by: bearmanric on September 08, 2016, 08:32:19 AM
Post by: bearpaw on September 27, 2016, 09:19:25 AM
Post by: bearpaw on September 27, 2016, 09:21:25 AM
Post by: bearpaw on September 27, 2016, 07:15:29 PM
Post by: Taco280AI on September 27, 2016, 07:17:32 PM
Post by: bearpaw on September 27, 2016, 07:21:10 PM
Post by: bearpaw on October 04, 2016, 04:17:06 AM
Three hunters arrived yesterday, we relived a few past hunts, they shot their guns, we had to resight two of the guns, and then they were ready for the hunt. Rick Sr and Rick JR have hunted three times previously with Bearpaw Outfitters, on the last hunt Rick Jr killed his biggest buck ever, but this was the first ever big game hunt for Rick's "son-in-law" Dan, and Rick Sr was hoping to get a buck something like Rick Jr got on the last hunt. They all wanted to hunt together so they could experience each other's hunt so Nick told them when to be ready in the morning and everyone settled in for the night.
In the morning guide Nick headed into the high desert mountains with all three hunters. It wasn't long, the first thing in the morning and a handsome 4x4 steps out, it was the first big game hunt for Dan, the first day of the hunt, the first chance at a buck, he couldn't resist, whammo, and Dan had his first ever buck down! What an exciting time for Dan and his family, congrats on a dandy 4x4 Dan! :IBCOOL:
THE STUD BUCK
As the day progressed Nick and the hunters glassed numerous average type bucks and spotted elk, they watched a big 350ish bull bugling and herding his cows, they were having a great day to say the least. In the evening they spotted two different pairs of big bucks, both in more remote areas. They decided to go after one pair of big bucks and got into range of both bucks. Rick SR dropped one of the bucks but the other big buck got away. As they approached the buck and it was an emotional time for Rick Sr, he had finally taken the big buck he has dreamed about his entire life. They snapped lots of photos and Nick dressed out the giant buck for packing out. The first text I got read "Stud Buck Down!" What a great day of hunting, family, big bulls, and big bucks, it really doesn't get any better than that, congrats to everyone involved!
(these photos are all I have right now)
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on October 04, 2016, 06:51:47 PM
Post by: WA hunter14 on October 04, 2016, 06:55:23 PM
Post by: Gringo31 on October 10, 2016, 03:00:40 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on October 10, 2016, 07:48:16 PM
Post by: bearpaw on October 11, 2016, 01:06:39 PM
LITTLE STUD BUCK
After Rick Sr filled his tag Rick Jr was the last man in the batter's box on this hunt. They nearly smacked another dandy the next morning but the buck was just a little too quick to get a good shot and they had to watch him disappear into the sage covered canyons. After a long relaxing lunch break they loaded up and headed back out hunting. They spotted some more average bucks that they passed and as the sun dipped to the west the day ended with Rick Jr's tag still unnotched. The next morning they were back out bright and early and it wasn't long before they were on deer and Rick Jr made a great shot on the buck we later referred to as Little Stud Buck which green scored 167 and bears a considerable resemblance to the mid 170's Stud Buck that Rick Sr tagged. Three hunters, all their biggest bucks ever, it was a perfect hunt, I love it when a plan comes together. Congrats to the family and to guide Nick for flat getting it done right! :IBCOOL:
Post by: bearpaw on October 11, 2016, 01:31:21 PM
Not a good story but I guess it's part of the season so I'll share. A long time client and friend archery elk hunts every year with us. Unfortunately this year he grazed a 6x6 bull which got away, we saw the arrow hit, it was just not a good shot, the bull barely bled, I think he'll be fine, in fact we plan to look for him later in the season during the rifle hunts. So after the family finished hunting the Utah ranch my friend decided he wanted to hunt the Utah Ranch, he got his license and tag and he headed over for a DIY hunt. Nick showed him the property and he almost got a dandy buck just while Nick was showing him the boundaries. Nick left and my friend stayed to hunt. Unfortunately one night after hunting my friend was headed back to the motel in town and hit an Angus at 65 mph.
I haven't seen the truck but my friend says the Angus had an accordion effect, the truck is crinkled on both sides all the way to the back doors. Luckily he didn't get hurt but his new Ford is most likely totaled. He's been sitting for several days in a remote Utah town waiting for the insurance adjuster to come, he told me there was no sense in me coming and getting him until the insurance adjusted has been there. To add insult to injury it was open range so someone has to pay for the Angus! It hasn't been a good fall season for my friend but at least he wasn't hurt!
Post by: cbond3318 on October 11, 2016, 01:33:24 PM
I've been super busy guys! :sry:
LITTLE STUD BUCK
After Rick Sr filled his tag Rick Jr was the last man in the batter's box on this hunt. They nearly smacked another dandy the next morning but the buck was just a little too quick to get a good shot and they had to watch him disappear into the sage covered canyons. After a long relaxing lunch break they loaded up and headed back out hunting. They spotted some more average bucks that they passed and as the sun dipped to the west the day ended with Rick Jr's tag still unnotched. The next morning they were back out bright and early and it wasn't long before they were on deer and Rick Jr made a great shot on the buck we later referred to as Little Stud Buck which green scored 167 and bears a considerable resemblance to the mid 170's Stud Buck that Rick Sr tagged. Three hunters, all their biggest bucks ever, it was a perfect hunt, I love it when a plan comes together. Congrats to the family and to guide Nick for flat getting it done right! :IBCOOL:
:tup: :tup:
Post by: cbond3318 on October 11, 2016, 01:34:22 PM
THE ANGUS ACCORDIAN
Not a good story but I guess it's part of the season so I'll share. A long time client and friend archery elk hunts every year with us. Unfortunately this year he grazed a 6x6 bull which got away, we saw the arrow hit, it was just not a good shot, the bull barely bled, I think he'll be fine, in fact we plan to look for him later in the season during the rifle hunts. So after the family finished hunting the Utah ranch my friend decided he wanted to hunt the Utah Ranch, he got his license and tag and he headed over for a DIY hunt. Nick showed him the property and he almost got a dandy buck just while Nick was showing him the boundaries. Nick left and my friend stayed to hunt. Unfortunately one night after hunting my friend was headed back to the motel in town and hit an Angus at 65 mph.
I haven't seen the truck but my friend says the Angus had an accordion effect, the truck is crinkled on both sides all the way to the back doors. Luckily he didn't get hurt but his new Ford is most likely totaled. He's been sitting for several days in a remote Utah town waiting for the insurance adjuster to come, he told me there was no sense in me coming and getting him until the insurance adjusted has been there. To add insult to injury it was open range so someone has to pay for the Angus! It hasn't been a good fall season for my friend but at least he wasn't hurt!
Holy smokes, good thing he was in big pick up! Glad he is ok.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on October 11, 2016, 01:34:49 PM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 11, 2016, 02:17:26 PM
Post by: niet32 on October 27, 2016, 08:34:37 AM
Post by: jackelope on October 27, 2016, 08:41:12 AM
Are those Utah Mulies or Washington?
Utah
Post by: bearpaw on November 09, 2016, 09:35:07 AM
Post by: bearpaw on November 13, 2016, 06:07:53 AM
Post by: bearpaw on November 13, 2016, 06:48:21 AM
Due to the whitetail die off caused by blue tongue last fall we decided to cut back our number of guided deer hunts in Washington, we have taken only about 1/3 as many Washington deer hunters this year. The good news for the hunters we have taken is that every guided deer hunter has had shot opportunities, 100% opportunity, most have killed deer, one hunter passed several small bucks but never got a bigger one, and two hunters missed bucks. Unfortunately there does not seem to be many big bucks, most of the Washington bucks taken have been young bucks.
Post by: bearpaw on November 13, 2016, 07:10:56 AM
We didn't have many hunters apply for tags this year in Montana, as a result we only have about half the normal number of deer hunters. Next year should be a really good year on the ranch with so little harvest this year. As usual the hunting is excellent, we normally see 10 to 30 bucks per day and this year is no exception. It's just a matter of looking over bucks until you see the one you want. We've been 100% on this hunt for about 11 years, that's a pretty good rate of shooting opportunity.
During the last hunt seven 4x4 mule deer were spotted and the hunters filled their tags with a 5x4 whitetail and a 4x4 whitetail. Here's the latest 5x5 whitetail buck just taken yesterday on our Montana deer hunt. Congrats Dave on a dandy! :IBCOOL:
Post by: bearpaw on November 13, 2016, 07:31:15 AM
We've had a busy year in Idaho, we've expanded our Idaho hunting areas twice in the last few years, and herds are doing well since the wolf population is being hunted and winters have been mild. Unfortunately the first half of season was mostly rainy, understandably it wasn't very good hunting, a lot of the hunters didn't hunt all day every day and several left for home early. However, the rain finally stopped and the last half of season was killer, we had mule deer dropping every day and we killed some elk to boot. Outside of the heavy rain, it was a good season and the prospects look even better for next year all over the state.
Here is one of the better mule deer, another elk hunter, and a record class moose we just killed a few days ago, taxi says he'll make book for sure. Very happy hunters!
Post by: bearpaw on March 16, 2017, 12:26:53 PM
Daniel, Eric, and Dustin all from North Carolina came out for their first western hunt. The big rains had started and game wasn't moving but on the first day Daniel dropped the nice bull elk in the photo in the previous post. I sent Troy (our packer) with some of the horses to pack out the bull so the group could continue hunting for Eric and Dustin who were both hunting mule deer. Guide Nick focused on a slightly different area than where Daniel shot the bull, but the rain was relentless every day all day. Dustin and Eric hunted hard with Nick, in spite of the heavy rain they found and passed several bucks trying to find the "right ones". On day four the rain changed to snow, on day five they were back in an area looking for one of the bucks they had passed, Nick spotted a buck and started to point it out when the other guys spotted a cougar right behind the buck, the cougar was actively stalking the buck and was just about to get the buck, in Idaho your deer tag can be used on a cougar, Eric made a quick decision and shot the buck, the cougar turned and ran off, the guys all looked at each other not hardly believing what they had just witnessed. As it turns out that buck had been shot before, he had an old gunshot wound from earlier in the season, I guess that buck was just destined to die and run out of lives. That was the last day of their hunt and I think Dustin wished he had shot one of the bucks they had passed but he did go home with some great memories and a story that not many hunters can tell.
Post by: bearpaw on March 16, 2017, 12:31:56 PM
Post by: hunting4sanity on March 16, 2017, 01:19:35 PM
Post by: bearpaw on March 17, 2017, 02:15:21 PM
Unfortunately Allen had to go home for a few days to take care of business, he came back the next week so he and Russell went after the big bull they had seen. It steep rugged country with good glassing opportunities, they saw more bulls but not the good one. The next day they returned looking for the big guy again, about 11 am I got the text, "big bull down bring horses". I loaded the horses and headed for the mountain. Russ and Allen met me at the trailhead, Russ said he didn't think it was the big bull they had seen but it was a good one, we headed up the mountain to get the bull. It was on a very steep hillside that it had rolled down after Allen shot, we tied the bull off to hold him and finished piecing him for packing out. I love it when a plan comes together!
Post by: bearpaw on March 17, 2017, 02:21:18 PM
Couple of great moose in these last few posts. Check your email Dale, I'm doing my best to draw a tag and experience that moose thing myself.
I've been buried in email and probably missed it, I'll look for it, thanks!